In Minsk, at the main entrance to the Holy Spirit Cathedral, a bronze monument to the first Patriarchal Exarch of all Belarus, Metropolitan Filaret, has been erected. The unveiling of the monument took place on May 3, 2022, and became a significant event for the Orthodox community. Sculptor Andrei Khotyankovsky and his team created a work of art reflecting the contributions of Metropolitan Filaret, who led the Belarusian Orthodox Church for over thirty years.
The monument depicts Metropolitan Filaret in ecclesiastical robes. He greets and blesses the residents of Minsk with the Cross of the Venerable Euphrosyne of Polotsk, leaning on an archbishop's staff. This symbolic representation emphasizes his importance for the spiritual development of the country.
Under Metropolitan Filaret, all historical dioceses of Belarus were restored, and monasteries and theological educational institutions resumed their activities. In 2006, he was awarded the title of Hero of Belarus for his contributions to the construction of churches and the development of Orthodoxy.
The monument has become not only a cultural but also a spiritual landmark in Minsk, reflecting the deep connection of Metropolitan Filaret with the history and culture of the Belarusian people.
